New Americans see freedom of speech, suffrage as keys to citizenship

Coming from countries that represent every continent but Antarctica, 29 immigrants were naturalized as American citizens in New Bedford on Friday.

SIMÃ"N RIOS

NEW BEDFORD — Coming from countries that represent every continent but Antarctica, 29 immigrants were naturalized as American citizens in New Bedford on Friday.

"I'm very honored and proud, so I can pursue freedom in this country," said a beaming Ranni McSally, a North Attleboro woman who came to America from Beijing, China.

McSally said as a U.S. citizen she's most looking forward to voting.

"When I was in China I did feel restrictions from the government side," she said. "There's a lot of space for improvement in China I think. But after I moved to the United States ... I want to pursue freedom."

The newly minted citizens came from 17 countries, from Angola to Brazil to Thailand to France. They are among some 700,000 foreign nationals who will become U.S. citizens this year.

Presiding over the ceremony, Superior Court Judge Thomas F. McGuire Jr. stressed that citizenship can't be taken away without the citizen's consent.

"Today not only are you citizens of the United States, but today you are the United States," McGuire said.

Suhaib and Ayesha Ijaz are a New Bedford couple who came to the states five years ago from Pakistan with the desire to become citizens.

Ayesha Ijaz, a pharmacist who was sworn in at Friday's ceremony, said women's rights are part of what makes America great.

"The women do not have so much freedom in our country," she said after being sworn in. "That's the best part over here — that women have so much freedom."

"You can breathe and go outside wherever you want. You can work. Everything."

Suhaib, who was naturalized last year and owns a check-cashing business in the North End, said the American Dream is alive and well.

"There's great opportunity here," he said. "You can change your life in great ways.

Rep. Antonio Cabral, D-New Bedford, himself a naturalized American citizen, urged the group to get involved in civic life.

"Stand out and defend your rights and the rights of your neighbors," Cabral said.